Dissemination conference at CEU UAO: The Relevance of Walter Benjamin in Times of Disinformation and AI
March 20, 2026
On March 20, 2026, Universitat CEU Abat Oliba will host “The Relevance of Walter Benjamin in Times of Disinformation and AI”, in collaboration with the Consulate General of Germany in Barcelona. The session, held in the university’s main auditorium, will critically examine the urgent need for media literacy and reflective thinking in a society increasingly shaped by disinformation, algorithmic bias, and the pervasive influence of artificial intelligence.
The keynote will be delivered by Prof. Vincenzo Mele, PhD, a specialist in General Sociology at the University of Pisa, whose research spans modernity, urban life, social imagination, and aesthetics. Mele, Editor-in-Chief of Simmel Studies and author of numerous academic publications, will explore how Benjamin’s thought illuminates contemporary challenges in navigating complex information ecosystems.
Sasha Molotkova, international journalist and Director of the Master in Digital Communication and New Technologies at CEU UAO, will moderate the session. Together with Swen Seebach, the discussion will critically assess how Benjamin’s ideas confront algorithmic manipulation, media distortions, and the shaping of public perception in the digital era.
The event will encourage participants to interrogate the intersections of technology, communication, and society, questioning assumptions and reflecting on the responsibilities of both creators and consumers of information. By fostering international scholarship, critical inquiry, and cross-disciplinary dialogue, the session embodies the values of transparency, collaboration, and ethical engagement that guide forward-looking approaches to technology, education, and civic participation.
Date: 20 March 2026
Time: 11am-1pm
Location: Salón de Actos (Conference Hall), Universitat Abat Oliba CEU
Partner universities within the EUonAIR consortium, as well as the broader academic and civic community, are cordially invited to attend this event, which offers free access and is open to the public (no registration needed).
Link to official website: Edición 2026 – Semana Walter Benjamin
